Wednesday, December 16 – Noon

We knew Mother High wanted to see her brother John on his 100th birthday, so I reserved a table in Azalea Dining Room at Landis Homes for lunch.

Mother wishing John a happy 100th birthday. Mother is 98 – the sibling next to him in age.

I love watching these two together.

Cerwin’s sister Velda and her husband, Mel, joined us for lunch.

The menu for the day: Ham balls, scalloped potatoes, succotash, and grilled Brussels sprouts.

As we were enjoying dessert, a staff person from Landis Homes gathered a group of people to sing Happy Birthday.

John is incredibly sharp for his age. I love listening to his stories.

John and Mother

Then something incredibly interesting happened. This lady was enjoying lunch with a friend when she heard the announcement that they were going to sing happy birthday to John Sauder. She came up to me and asked if he had a daughter June. I assured her that he did.

She said, “I am Harley Kooker’s wife. Harley was with June in Vietnam during the Tet offensive.”

I wish you could have seen John when she told him who she was. Their conversation lit up his face. He asked about each of the others who were in the house with June.

(The Tet offensive happened in February 1968 while seven young Americans were serving in the city of Hue with Vietnam Christian Service. They were stranded in their unit headquarters for eight terror-filled days.)

Only God could have timed that meeting. John told me later that the meeting with Mrs. Kooker had him on a “high” for three days. 🙂

Velda and Cerwin with John and Mother.

The photographer from Landis Homes graciously asked if I would like to be on a picture too.

Mother said to John, “I think you need a birthday kiss.”

John asked, “On the cheek or on the lips.”

Mother said, “Let’s do it right – on the lips.” 🙂

~~~

Oh what a delightful lunch.